Russia’s anti gay lobby targets Madonna

A court in St Petersburg has summoned Madonna to appear on charges of having broken a city by-law against promoting homosexuality.

After the American pop star failed to attend a hearing on October 11, the court sent a summons to her New York address. She has now been ordered to show up on Thursday.

The Union of Russian Citizens says that it wants redress for the “offence” she gave at her August concert in the city, when she called for tolerance towards sexual minorities. Nine anti-gay activists from the group have filed a private lawsuit, seeking 333 million roubles (£6.7 million) from the star.

“This is the crazy planet we are now living on,” said Katya K, a lesbian from Moscow.